Lexington, KY - In an effort to allow more flexibility and more classes at USEF licensed competitions and to get more people involved in showing horses, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has initiated new opportunities for exhibitors to compete at particular competitions. A new rule was approved by the Executive Committee on February 20, 2007, with an effective date of April 1, 2007.

This new rule, GR331 Opportunity classes, applies to breed-restricted, Western regular or local breed-restricted and/or Western competitions. This rule also allows for additional benefits through the USEF and will help to engage new exhibitors.

A member of the USEF Board of Directors and USEF National Affiliates Working Group, Georgie Green, stated that “The whole point of the Opportunity classes is to reach out beyond the traditional exhibitor so that they can make a connection to the USEF that they have never felt before. It helps to expose them to the larger world of equestrian sports and enables them to get more involved with the USEF so that they can see the advantages of membership.”

These Opportunity classes are open to all breeds unless it is a breed restricted competition. The Opportunity classes may include but are not limited to equitation and pleasure (Saddleseat, Hunter and/or Western), costume, trail, driving, gaited, reining, in-hand and other categories. Specifics on this rule change are posted on the USEF website and can be obtained at www.usef.org.

“The Opportunity classes allow competition organizers more flexibility and best of all, helps increase the number of exhibitors in our sport,” said Chief Executive Officer John Long. “It will create a win-win through the development of and participation in new classes.”

A separate entry blank is not required for Opportunity classes. All that is required by the USEF is to list “Opportunity” in the class title. In addition, if it is an existing USEF class, then the specs do not need to be specified in the prize list. Otherwise, the specifications would need to be listed for any unrecognized USEF class.

Any questions regarding this rule change can be directed to Karen Homer-Brown, Director, National Affiliates, by calling (859) 225-6958. A copy of the adopted rule changes can be obtained by downloading from the website www.usef.org or by sending a written request to the attention of Abigail Cook, Legislative Coordinator, United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511 or by e-mailing a request to [email protected]

-ENDS-~~~For more information, please contact Stacey Meier, Director of National Marketing at (859) 225-6974 or via email at [email protected].